Transporting 8+ Chins

[Inigo]

My boyfriend's headed off to depot soon to do his training for the RCMP, and after the 6 months there he's going to be posted. With the RCMP, the smaller, more isolated the town your in, the better you're paid, so Thomas is aiming for oblivion on the east or west coast - a nowhere town right? How are we going to transport 8+ chinchillas? How in gods name are we going to get them all out?

:hmm: It's a long way off to be sure, anywhere from 8 months to a year, but knowing to game plan this far in advance would be good, simply because i know i'll have to ensure no ones pregnant, but also, should i be transporting un-weaned babies? I don't want to be in that situation of course, but if it comes to that...

How should this be done?

 

[tunes]

That depends on how far you're going. If you're driving, buy some carriers from JPChinchillas or Ryerson's. You can get a one unit 8 hole that are specifically made for chins. If you only have 8 adults, then that's no problem.

If you have babies JPChins makes a slightly larger carrier that would work, or you could get a couple cat type carriers to transport in. The biggest problem with transporting babies is if mom gets upset and starts jumping around. Obviously, the kits could be hurt. You'll have to forgive me for not knowing your geography (I don't even know my own!) but is this move going to be accomplished by driving? If it is, that should be pretty easy to figure out. Flying with kits, on the other hand, could be a problem.

If it was me, I would seperate any breeding pairs now, with that 8 month deadline in mind. If you have any newly pregnants, that would give them plenty of time to deliver and to wean with no worries. You also wouldn't have to worry about stressing a pregnant mom or having nursing kits on a mom.

If you're flying, those same carriers are approved, but I definitely would not want babies under mom or a pregnant mom being transported out of my care. I'm not a fan of even driving a pregnant female.

If he's going to the back of beyond for this post, I guess I would be more worried about veterinary care. I could get my chins there, get them set up, and if I have to, I could have supplies shipped in. What I would be very concerned about is finding a good vet ahead of time.

Relax - it can be done. People move chins all the time.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Peggy gave some very good suggestions. I just moved over 40 chinchillas 150 miles by car in November. It can definitely be done but like Peggy said...I'd much prefer to drive them anywhere than to fly.

 

[Tillygizmo]

Peggy your great... ha . I definitely understand the nervousness involved but it can absolutely be done I know people do it all the time..

Your an awesome chin parent for planning ahead though!

 

[Inigo]

Thanks for everyones encouragment!:grouphug: That carrier you suggested sounds excellent Tunes! It's going to be quite a drive if that's what it comes to - 3 days if we blast across, that's if he's moving west, which is what he would prefer. it takes a full days drive just to get out of Ontario for goodness sake! So you can see why I'm rather hesitant about driving them? 3 days of discomfort versus 8 hours of misery, i'm not so sure which is better! I'm not nearly as trustworthy of planes, but i don't care to introduce my herd to so many hotels either!

 

[VolunteerChin22]

Many times when i take animals to shows they are in carriers for 3 days and do just fine. Just bring water bottles, go ahead and filter water ahead of time or bring bottled water, plenty of food and some chews. you could always clean the hotel bathroom floor and surfaces yourself and allow some playtime, but they will be ok if they dont get out for playtime.

 

[sublime5981]

I moved from New York to Missouri (3 day trip) with 8 chins. Lily had a one month old kit by her side. I have a custom made large one hole carrier from JP Chins that I used for her and the kit. My other carriers are also JP Chins large hole style.
When we stopped each night, I would put their water bottles on and set the carriers in the bathtub (easier clean up, away from the cats, and reduced their noise). As someone else mentioned, I used bottled water.
One other tip: I suggest buying an indoor digital thermometer, if you don't already have one. I have one from Walmart that gives temp and humidity. It is actually in the chin room all the time and when traveling I take it along and stick it (it's magnetic) right to the side of the carrier.
I've also used a cat carrier before. When Lily had her first litter, it was days before Christmas and I was about to travel 6 hours away for the next 10 days. I was too nervous to leave her and the newborns at home. I took a cat carrier and put 1/4" square hardware cloth over the entire door and about 3" of cardboad along the bottom to keep shavings and poo inside. It was just the right size for a small hidey house, food dish, chews, and still room to move.